Chelsea have seen a number of midfielders leave Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window – leaving Mauricio Pochettino needing to sign replacements. Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount have all left the club as Pochettino searches for the ideal player to partner Enzo Fernandez in his squad next season.
football.london understands that the Blues have seen a recent bid for Brighton star Moises Caicedo rejected. Chelsea’s offer was immediately turned down despite the Ecuador international’s desire to leave the Amex Stadium, with reports claiming the offer was worth around £80million.
Brighton are committed to keeping the player unless their £100million valuation is met – which has been influenced by Enzo’s £106million move to Stamford Bridge in January, followed by Declan Rice’s £105million switch to Arsenal earlier this month.
According to The Times, the Caicedo is set to hold talks with Brighton in an effort to bring down the club’s £100million asking price. However, Chelsea are now considering alternative options in the transfer market after seeing their £80million bid turned down by Roberto De Zerbi’s side.
Spanish publication Nacional states that the Blues are now interested in bringing Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde to Stamford Bridge this summer. Real Madrid have rebuffed approaches for the Uruguay international with Liverpool said to have made an €80million (£68million) offer, while Saudi Arabian sides Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli both offered €100million (£85million).
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is said to have prepared a bid of €130million (£112million) to sign Valverde in an effort to Madrid president Florentino Perez’s resolve. The report adds that the Blues are prepared to quintuple Valverde’s salary to make him one of the best paid players in the Premier League.
